Posted by TC on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 12:27am.
At noon on the summer solstice, the sun's zenith angle is 37 deg at 60 latitude and 7 deg at 30 latitude. The noon solar irradiance has a ratio
cos 7/cos37 = 1.24, and the sun is up much longer at the more northern latitude. The net result is very little dfference in total sunshine (assuming no clouds).
At noon on the winter solstice, the sun has zenith angle at 83 degrees at 60 N and 53 degrees at 30 latitude. The noon solar irradiance ratio is cos 53/cos83 = 4.93, AND the sun is up longer at the lower latitude.
The net result is a much larger solar 'receipt' difference (also called "insolation" difference) in the winter.
What latitude experiences the smallest variation in insolation during the year? What explains this pattern?
Related Questions
Science-Solar Radiation Receipt - Why would the seasonal range (summer-Winter) ...
Geography - I had 2 questions need to be done by the night, please help me 1. ...
Physics - An object rests on an inclined surface thanks to the presence of ...
economics - A New Hampshire resort offers year-around activities: in winter, ...
science - Why do most streams in NY state have a greater stream discharge runoff...
Business - A New Hampshire resort offers year-round activities: in winter, ...
Economics - A New Hampshire resort offers year-round activities: in winter, ...
Managrial Economics - Anyone has answer for this please? A New Hampshire resort...
7th grade science weather Ms.Sue help please - 1. Which of the following facts ...
physics - Which of the following is true for the transition of electrons from a...
For Further Reading
